New Version Includes Important Security Improvements

5. It's easier to find Do Not Track
Though
Firefox's Do Not Track privacy feature was available in Firefox 4, many users
complained that it was hard to find. With Firefox 5, Do Not Track is now available
in the software's Privacy tab, making it much easier for users to find. In
addition, the Do Not Track feature is available in the mobile version of the
software for Android-based devices, as well.

6. Firefox 4 users will want it

Though
there is some speculation that Google Chrome and even Internet Explorer users
won't jump to download Firefox 5, it seems like an obvious choice for current
Firefox 4 users. After all, Firefox 5 delivers the same basic functionality,
but delivers better stability and security. Plus, it's free. So, users who are
currently running Firefox 4 will find a lot to like in Firefox 5.
7. Support for CSS animations
One
of the more important additions to Firefox 5 is support for CSS animations.
That technology is often used by Websites and app developers to move elements
within a page around the screen. As Mozilla points out, support for CSS
animations in Firefox 5 should pave the way for developers to "build more
amazing Web applications and Web sites." So, while the addition is a boon for
developers at first, Firefox 5 users might also benefit from it over the long term.
8. It has come under fire
As
of late, Firefox 5 has come under fire from critics who say that calling it a
new version of Mozilla's venerable browser is nonsense. Those folks say that
the browser delivers no major improvements that would justify its "5" moniker
and Mozilla must do more in the future to ensure its updates are meaningful to
users. That criticism could drastically affect the way Mozilla handles Firefox
updates in the future, and users should keep that in mind.
9. The competition is stiff
Mozilla
is launching Firefox 5 in an increasingly competitive browser market. Windows
owners have several fine options to choose from,
including Chrome and Internet Explorer, and both of those browsers deliver
their own benefits over Firefox 5. On the Mac side, Safari is a worthwhile
alternative to Firefox 5, as well. Simply put, Firefox 5 isn't competing in a
vacuum, and users might do well to consider alternatives before opting for
Mozilla's latest launch.
10. Mozilla has made it more secure
As
the number of Web-based threats continues to rise, Internet users want to know
that the
browser they're employing will help keep them safe. Luckily, Mozilla
delivered several security improvements to Firefox 5 to help folks achieve that
goal. Of course, no browser can keep someone entirely secure, but the addition
of security updates in Firefox 5, including critical issues in the WebGLES
library, among others, is nice to see.

Don Reisinger is a freelance technology columnist. He started writing about technology for Ziff-Davis' Gearlog.com. Since then, he has written extremely popular columns for CNET.com, Computerworld, InformationWeek, and others. He has appeared numerous times on national television to share his expertise with viewers. You can follow his every move at http://twitter.com/donreisinger.